Night Tube: Underground bosses in fresh row amid claims 24-hour service ‘excludes’ wheelchair users

Leading charity Muscular Dystrophy UK have published the damning report about the new night time service launching on the Central and Victoria lines on Friday.

It reveals that just 13 per cent of Night Tube stations have step-free access and common Underground routes take over four times as long for disabled people who need to change to find accessible stations.

The charity has argued this will “exclude” wheelchair users from parts of the city and stop them from enjoying the benefits of the extended service.

The Chief executive Muscular Dystrophy UK, Robert Meadowcroft, called on Transport for London to take note of the report’s finding, which he described as “simply unacceptable”.

He said: “While the introduction of a 24-hour tube service could provide disabled people with improved social and employment options, the reality is a network still largely inaccessible and awkward for those with disabilities.

“It’s simply unacceptable. TfL have clearly recognised the need to modernise their service, but this vision should be extended to ensure accessibility is boosted across the network.

“As the night-tube is rolled out, disability charities like ours must be involved in consultation to ensure the needs of disabled people are fully met.

“We call on TfL to raise the number of step-free stations way beyond its current paltry level, and create an underground system open and accessible to all.

“Only then can disabled people fully enjoy the benefits of a night tube, along with the rest of London.”

A TfL spokeswoman said: “London has one of the most accessible transport networks in the world, but we know it can still be difficult for some Londoners to get around.

“That’s why we’re investing hundreds of millions of pounds in making stations and trains more accessible.

“We will offer every assistance possible to Night Tube customers – with turn up and go services, fully-staffed stations with staff trained by disabled people and a wide range of information available to our customers including step-free guides, tips on getting around, and regular updates on our accessibility Twitter feed.

“More than half of our Underground and Rail stations will be step-free by 2018 and the Elizabeth line, which includes 40 step-free stations, will open through central London at the same time – transforming access for disabled Londoners.”